Oklahoma City, OK – Sagac Public Affairs today released an analysis of contribution trends by political action committees and individuals to state and federal elections. The report takes a look at the past 20 years of available data to develop a forecast for the next decade’s giving patterns.

“The amount of money being poured into political campaigns is flourishing,” said Trey Richardson, Sagac Principal. “In Oklahoma alone, contributions to state candidates have increased 52 percent since 2000, with the per capita contributions growing from $332 in 2000 to $527 this year. That’s an increase of 37 percent.”

When viewed in national context, findings among all states were similar to those found in Oklahoma.

· Average total contributions among all state elections increased 43 percent from 2000 to 2008 ($1,671,920,449 to $2,926,539,436).

· During Presidential election years, 2000, 2004 & 2008, the average total contributions among all state elections decreased by 18.5 percent per cycle.

· During non-Presidential election years, giving increased by 33.3 percent on average when compared to previous elections.

· The average individual contribution to state candidates increased 21 percent over the last four cycles having been as low as $709 in 2000 and up to $900 in 2008.

“A significant shift of funding has occurred in the last decade. State campaign contributions are growing at 21 percent per cycle, while federal growth is about 7 percent. Clearly the action and interests of the donor community have moved to the state level,” Richardson continued.